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Proverbially speaking, there are
really only four types of people. There are
the wise...of course, that would be all of you.
Then there are the simple, the foolish, and
the mockers...which, uh, ahem, ah,
apply to none of you.
The Simple
The Foolish
and The Mockers
Ricki Lee Brooks
Stealing your own stuff, of course, is
ridiculous. A wise person just wouldn’t
do it.
Okay, yeah, maybe if it was worth lots
of money, it was insured, and your
morals were hovering just above the
scum line, you might steal your own
stuff, but that’s another workshop.
Ethics 101.
So, let’s not miss the point of this
ridiculous cartoon. All three, the simple,
the foolish, and the mocker do things
wise people would not. However, why
they engage in these attitudes and
behaviors differs greatly between the
three...
1. The Simple do not know better.
2. The Foolish cannot know better.
3. The Mocker does not care to
know better.
What’s it
to ya?!
3
2 Man, I will
never get
caught!
1 Heh, heh,
this is fun!
Hey, why are you stealing
your own portrait?
The Simple
I Just Don’t
Get It!
Help!
Now run that
by me one
more time.
How do you deal with the simple?
1. In a supervisory role:
A. Remember what they are like.
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them...
A simple man believes anything...
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep
going and suffer for it.
B. Give careful verbal instruction.
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She
has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her
table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest
point of the city. "Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to
those who lack judgment. “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I
have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the
way of understanding.”
C. Let them know how mockers are disciplined.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom
D. Follow policy and procedure for any and every phase
of A and B.
E. If policy and procedure do not require a paper trail...
maintain one anyway.
Proverbs
1:32a
14:15a
22:3
9:1-6
21:11a
2. In a lateral role:
A. Be patient...simple people need to learn. If you do not
help them learn, they will continue to reap the negative
consequences of their ignorance.
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them...
A simple man believes anything...
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep
going and suffer for it.
B. Give careful verbal instruction so that the simple can
become wise.
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within
you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to
understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for
understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as
for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory
in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is
blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way
of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and
knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
C. Help them to understand the fate of the mocker.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom
1:32a
14:15a
22:3
2:1-11
21:11a
The Foolish
Heh, heh, heh!
How do you deal with the foolish?
1. In a supervisory role:
A. Question: Is this problem persistent? Yes or No
B. If yes, follow policies and procedures regarding
evaluation, discipline, etc.
C. Do not extend the process any further than demanded by
policies and procedures. Keep records. Dismiss at
earliest opportunity.
Why A., B., and C.
The foolish have no desire to gain wisdom...
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to
get wisdom?
The foolish find no pleasure in understanding. Instead, they
like to proclaim uninformed opinions...
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his
own opinions.
The foolish may, in fact, be incapable of gaining the wisdom
they need.
Like cutting off one's feet or drinking violence is the sending of a
message by the hand of a fool. Like a lame man's legs that hang limp
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the
giving of honor to a fool. Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a
proverb in the mouth of a fool.
D. If answer to A. above is no…
i. Ask simple questions to discern the person’s level
of understanding.
Proverbs
17:16
18:2
26:6-9
ii. Instruct without discussion...
do not entertain argument
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to
advice.
do not entertain procrastination or stubbornness
A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded
and reckless.
iii. If necessary, go back to B. and C.
2. In a lateral role:
A. Consider the level of involvement you have with the
foolish person. Depending on your responsibility...
attempt to minimize his or her damage
Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his
folly.
avoid, at all cost, any debate or negotiation
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and
there is no peace.
B. Consider if you are able to help this foolish person.
Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
12:15
14:16
13:16
29:9
23:9
Use your best judgment on how far to extend this process.
The Mocker
I
Don’t
Give
A
Rip!
Read my lips, and if
you can’t read my
lips, read my sign,
”I don’t give a rip!”
How do you deal with a mocker?
1. In a supervisory role:
A. Refrain from giving verbal instruction.
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked
man incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and
he will love you.
B. Refrain from teaching or instructing.
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen
to rebuke.
A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.
C. Discipline
State the consequences.
Implement the consequences
Record the consequences
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom.
Proverbs
9:7
9:8
13:1
15:12
21:11
If you attempt A or B, the mocker will simply build up contempt for you.
As this contempt grows, you will either see or hear about the mocker casting insults at you.
D. Dismiss
Drive out the mocker, and out goes the strife; quarrels and insults are
ended.
E. Follow policy and procedure for any and every phase
of C and D.
F. If policy and procedure do not require a paper trail...
maintain one anyway.
2. In a lateral role:
A. Determine how far you are willing to extend yourself on
behalf of someone who will not listen to sound counsel
or advice.
The proud and arrogant man —”Mocker” is his name; he behaves
with overweening pride.
B. If and when you choose to dismiss the mocker, do not
browbeat yourself with guilt or pity. Your continued
enablement of the mocker would not be healthy for you,
others, or the mocker.
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked
man incurs abuse.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom.
Drive out the mocker, and out goes the strife; quarrels and insults are
ended.
22:10
21:24
9:7
21:11
22:10
C. Let him or her know that you have nothing to offer self-
centered, over-bearing, proud, and conceited
individuals. However, you will always be ready and able
to listen and/or help if and when he or she discovers
some personal humility.
Final Application
When it’s time to be firm we must refrain from being stern
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a
quarrel.
A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely
word.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the
wicked gushes evil.
A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote
instruction.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to
the bones.
A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close
friends.
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before
a dispute breaks out.
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of
understanding is even-tempered.
15:1
15:18
15:23
15:28
16:23
16:24
16:28
17:14
17:27
Appendix
A Quick Overview of
The Simple, The Foolish,
and The Mockers
How are each
of these
characterized?
How does each
respond regarding
wisdom?
How does each
respond when
asked to grow?
How does each
respond regarding
goals, planning,
and choices?
The Mockers The Foolish The Simple
1:32 they are wayward,
aimless
14:15 they are gullible,
inexperienced
13:16 they act w/ folly
15:2 they speak rashly
29:9 they stir up trouble
9:7 they resist
correction with
insults
9:8 they hate those
who offer advice
13:1 they will not listen
to counsel
15:12 they resent
correction; won’t
ask for help
21:24 they create
division
22:10 they are proud and
arrogant
1:22 they enjoy their
simple ways
9:1-6 but they will
respond to wisdom
17:16 they have no desire
to gain wisdom
18:2 they find no
pleasure in
understanding, but
like to proclaim
uninformed
opinions anyway
23:9 they reject wise
counsel
1:22 they actually take
delight in mocking
truth
14:6 they ask about
wisdom, but never
find it (talks a
good line)
15:12 they actually
resent advice and,
therefore, do not
really listen
19:25 they will learn
how to be careful
when mockers are
dealt with
21:11 they gain wisdom
when mockers are
punished
15:5 they do not heed
advice easily
17:10 they require the
same instruction
over and over and
over
26:3-9 it is extremely
difficult for them to
learn
9:7 they will insult any
who offer them
sound counsel
9:8 they will even hate
the person who
offers them sound
counsel
13:1 they simply refuse
to listen to sound
counsel
22:3 they plow straight
ahead creating
trouble for
themselves
27:12 same
12:15 they truly think
they have the right
answers; it never
occurs to them that
they may be
misguided
14:16 they are hotheaded
and reckless with
their choices and
actions
21:24 they have no
consideration for
any other input
since they are
filled with pride
(my way or the
high- way
regardless of
consequences)
A Quick Overview of
The Simple, The Foolish, and The Mockers
(through the lenses of four questions)